Cleveland | Bed bugs found inside Justice Center

CLEVELAND -- In a statement released late Monday, the spokesman for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court said the court is aware that bed bugs have been found in the Justice Center.

He said the areas in question have been treated and workers were advised of the discovery and provided with instruction on the prevention and treatment of bed bugs. An additional meeting with bed bug experts was held Monday afternoon for any interested court employees.

"Unfortunately, no office is totally safe from the potential for bed bugs or any other pests. According to the Cleveland Department of Public Health, public health officials and pest control operators in northeast Ohio and across the country are responding to a significant increase in bed bug complaints," the statement reads.

"Bed bugs are found in office buildings, retail stores, hospitals, dormitories, nursing homes, libraries, movie theaters, buses, or any other place where people gather. With tens of thousands of people coming through the Justice Center every week, we are not immune.

According to the Cuyahoga County Bed Bug Task Force, bed bug numbers in offices tend to be low, increasing by periodic reintroductions rather than through reproduction. We have been assured that our situation is not an "infestation", but are isolated incidents."

Any other questions should be addressed to Cuyahoga County Public Works Spokesperson Emily Lundgard, whose office is responsible for the Justice Center and its care.